The soaring temperatures in the Northern parts of India have left people in a state of quandary. With temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius in the capital city, one must take precautions against this scorching, and sweltering heat. And what is better than partaking in natural refreshments? Cooling drinks that provide relief from the heat and cool your body internally should be consumed at regular intervals. A mix of different flavours, aromas and rejuvenating properties, these body-cooling drinks are must-haves and should be added to your summer arsenal.
8 best cooling drinks for your body this summer season
Watermelon juice
Watermelon consists of over 90 per cent water thus making this fruit your summer BFF. Its hydrating properties help keep body temperatures down. It is a rich source of natural electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium, essential for maintaining fluid balance in the body.
Electrolytes help regulate nerve and muscle function, balance blood pressure, and support cellular hydration. The intense heat of the summer causes the body to lose electrolytes through sweat. Watermelon juice restores these vital minerals in the body. A study on PubMed also suggested that watermelon is beneficial in treating various conditions like cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, and even certain types of cancers.
Coconut water
Particularly popular in tropical regions, this body-cooling drink is celebrated for its exceptional cooling properties. A report on Research Gate suggests that coconut water has a unique chemical composition that provides the body with phytohormones, enzymes, antioxidant compounds, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and more.
Coconut water is also slightly alkaline, which helps balance the body’s pH levels even in this scorching heat. The alkaline content of this body-cooling drink can counteract the effects of acidity caused by certain foods and stress and thus help in creating a more balanced internal state. This helps reduce the overall heat in the body, contributing to its cooling properties.
Cucumber infused water
In the last few years, detox drinks have become the new rage for their multiple benefits. This cooling drink is a favourite as cucumbers consist of about 96 per cent water, making it one of the most hydrating vegetables available. When cucumbers are infused in water, they release their water content along with a subtle, refreshing flavour. This enhances the overall hydrating effect and keeps the body well-hydrated, which is crucial for maintaining a stable body temperature in hot weather.
Cucumbers are also a good source of potassium, an essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in the body. Potassium plays a great role in maintaining proper hydration levels, as it works alongside sodium to manage the body’s fluid balance. By including this cooling drink in your daily routine, you can help restore and maintain your body’s fluid balance.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk or chhas is a tangy dairy-based cooling drink that has been cherished for centuries across various cultures, especially in regions with hot climates. Traditionally made from the liquid left after churning butter out of cream, buttermilk helps restore the lost fluids from the body.
One of the most essential features of buttermilk is its probiotic content. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support a well-functioning gut, which is essential for a healthy digestive system and overall health. A healthy digestive system can help prevent the buildup of internal heat caused due to digestive problems. Consuming buttermilk daily aids digestion, promotes gut health, and helps the body feel lighter and cooler.
Kokum sharbat
A powerhouse of antioxidants, this cooling drink for summer is popular in the coastal regions of India, especially in Maharashtra, Goa, and parts of South India. Kokum sharbat is typically made by mixing kokum extract or syrup with water, which already makes it high in water content, thus making it a great hydrating drink.
The kokum fruit contains hydroxy citric acid (HCA) known for its cooling properties, and antioxidants like anthocyanins, which help reduce inflammation in the body, thus maintaining a cool and stable internal body temperature during the summer. The health benefits of kokum drink have been proven in a report shared by the National Library of Medicine.
Sattu sharbat
An excellent cooling drink for the summer months, sattu sharbat is made by mixing sattu powder with water and a pinch of salt or black salt, which provides essential electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. It is crucial for maintaining hydration in the body. Packed with essential nutrients such as proteins, fibres, calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium, these help in muscle repair and growth, while fibres aid in digestion and prevent digestive issues like constipation and bloating.
Sattu sharbat also has detoxifying effects, which means that it flushes out toxins from the body. This is partly due to its high fibre content, aiding in the removal of waste products from the digestive system.
Aam panna
A common body-cooling drink in Indian households during summer, aam panna is blessed with the natural cooling properties of raw mangoes. Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, these antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the body and protect cells from damage. By reducing inflammation, antioxidants also help lower internal body temperature, thus contributing to the cooling properties of aam panna.
Aam panna is prepared with black salt and roasted cumin (jeera) powder. These provide essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium which are crucial for maintaining fluid balance in the body, especially when you are excessively sweating. Replenishing these electrolytes helps prevent dehydration, muscle cramps, and heat-related issues, thus contributing to a cooler body.
Sugarcane juice
Extracted from the stalks of the sugarcane plant, sugarcane juice is a summer favourite across India, especially in the northern regions for its cooling properties and its unique taste. Since its water content is quite high, drinking this cooling drink helps replenish lost fluids and keeps the body hydrated and cool. That way it helps to lower the body temperature, providing immediate relief from the heat. Have you noticed how refreshing it feels after chugging down a big glass of sugarcane juice on a hot day?
It is also a rich source of essential nutrients and vitamins like vitamin C, B-complex vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6), and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese, which support various bodily functions and contribute to overall health. This cooling drink also promotes healthy urination and kidney health, aids in reducing inflammation, and prevents the body from overheating, as stated by WebMD.
What are the health benefits of these body-cooling summer drinks?
Hydration is crucial for the body all year, specifically during the hot summer months. These cooling drinks are imperative in maintaining the body’s fluid balance and refreshing and rehydrating effectively. Natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and herbs which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants add to the nutrition of the body to make up for the water and essential nutrients that we lose when we sweat.
Hero Image: Courtesy datingscout/Unsplash, Featured Image: Courtesy Tangerine Newt/Unsplash
Also read: Detoxify and hydrate yourself with these healthy DIY summer drinks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which cold drink is best for the body?
If we are speaking of the best drink for our body, water is indispensable. You might want to add some flavours of your choice without adding refined sugar. Try adding ice cubes, fresh mint, strips of cucumber, or any berries of your choice to add some natural sweetness.
– What drink is cooling for the body?
Some of the best cooling drinks for summer months are buttermilk, coconut water, watermelon juice, and sugarcane juice, among many others.
– What juices cool your body?
Pomegranate juice, cucumber water, cucumber and mint detox drink, watermelon juice, beetroot juice, papaya juice, black grape juice, amla juice etc. are some juices that cool your body during the summer season.
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Written by
Sreetama Basu
Digital Writer - Entertainment, Food & Drinks
A journalism student who studied the subject only to meet SRK in person, she settled for the best way to meet him. Covering Entertainment throughout her career, and now Food, Health and Lifestyle as well, Sreetama is also a self-proclaimed plant mom. In love with all things slow and quiet, she can often be found hunting for quiet corners with a glass of wine in hand. Other loves include little, inconsequential things, like neatly tucked-in bedsheets and big, significant things, like whole cheesecakes. She dreams of being a baker and writing about food someday.
